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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 



Col, Aaron Ogden 



01'^ ELIZABETHTOVVN. 



An Original Document wrilten by CoL. Aaron Ogden 
for his children. 



I'AI'KkSUN, N. J. : 

riilNII.NG \Nli I'l'lil.lSlllNO CI1., 269 MAIN S r. 

'S93- 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 



Col, Aaron Ogden 



OF ELIZABETHTOWX. 



Ati Original Docuincnt luritten by CoL. Aaron Ogden 
for his children. 



PATEKSON, N. J. : 

THE PRESS I'RIN'UNG AND FUBLISIIING CO., 2C9 MAIN SI'. 
1S93. 






/k(tf^ 



Oo 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 



The subject of this memoir was born^ on the 3d Decem- 
ber, 1756, at Elizabeth Town in the then Colony of New 
Jerse}', <^rdduated at Princeton College in September i "/JZ' '' 
is now one of the Trustees' of that celebrated Seat of 
Science, and the first Vice President of the Alumni of 
Nasfau Hall, of whom the President is James Madison, late 
President of the United States. 

Having been nurtured in Whig principles, Mr. Ogden at a 
very early age enrolled himself in defence of the United 
Colonies, in the Militia of New Jersey ; and in the Spring of 
the year 1777 received an appointment in the first New 



1 Thl.s :iiUi)lilo{;r:i|jli.v was prepareil liy Col. Ojiclcn aliout IS.'B. anil was tliu basis of 
a lilograpliiual akeicli pulilislied in "Tlie NiUional Portrait Gallery of Distliiguislifd 
Americans, oonclucted by James B. Loneacre. Plillaiielphia; and James HerrUis. 
New York." Vol. I., Philadelphia. New York and London. 1834. It Is the tenth In 
order ill the volume, a-id la accompanied liya line steel engavlngrf a portrait of Ogdcu. 
painted and engraved t>y A. B. Durand. It is now reprinted from the original man- 
uscript, carefully preserved by the family, and which has been strictly followed In 
the printing here. Notes and added facts have been given, in order to present a 
completer view of the life and character of the distinguished hero and statesman. 

a Son of Robert Ogdcu and brother of Matthias Ogdcn and Kobert Ogdeu, juii.. of 
Elizabeth town. ' 

■i .\fter leaving College he became an assistant teacher in the school of I'rancis 
Barl^er, at Ellzabethtown, remaining until the spring of 177", when the school was 
broken up. and principal and assistant both entered the army.— /Vincfton. in the 
Kitjhlemth Cmtury, 168. 

••lie was one of the Trustees of I'rincetoii College from ISIT until his death, in 
1839. 



4 COL. AAROX OGDEX. 

Jersey Regiment,^ and continued in such service until the 
termination of the war, in the various grades of a Captain, 
Major of Brigade, Brigade Major ard Inspector, and Aid 
de Camp. 

After the termination of the war, he applied himself to 
the study of the law, and was admitted by the Supreme 
Court of New Jersey to the degrets successively of an 
Attorney, a Counsellor, and Serjeant at Law,''' and by the 
Corporation of Nassau Hall at Princeton to the degree of 
Doctor of Laws.^ 

In the year 1799, and when in full practice at the Bar, he 
was appointed to the command of the eleventh regiment 
of the Army of the United States, and a Deputy Quarter 
Master General in that army ; in which grades he served 
untill the army was disbanded, after which he resumed and 
continued in an extensive practice of the law untill the year 
1812, when he was elected^ Governor of the State of New 
Jersey, and Commander in Chief of its Militia. During 
this time he was appointed' a Major General in the Army 
of the United States flagrante bello with Great Britain, 
which last appointment he did not accept, on the sole 
ground, that under the circumstances, he thought he could 
be of more use in the command of the Militia of New Jer- 
sey, then threatened with an invasion, than he probably 
could be in the regular army, which reason was considered 
by the government as satisfactory. 

1 lie was commlssloneil Paymaster, First Battaliuii. First KsiaVillsluiietit, Decem- 
her 8, 1775; Paymaster, First Battalion, Second Estalillsliment, ",)ei-.wyTroops."CouilD- 
ental Line, February 1, 177"; resigned as Paymaster, April 1, 1778; Oaptaln-Lleutenant. 
First Regiment; Captain, ditto, to date Fehruary 2, 1779; Brigade Major and Inspector 
and Ald.de-Camp to Brigadier Ueneial William Ma.\well, April 1, 1778; dlscUarged at 
the close of the viav.—Stnjkt-r's Revulutionai~u Roster, C9. 

2 He studied law with Ills older lirotlier, Robert, at Kllzabethtown ; was 
licensed as an attorney at the September Term, 178'!, and as a sergeant at the Septem- 
ber Term, 1792. The roll of counsellors, 1780-92, is missing. The number of sergeants 
was limited to twelve. 

3 In 1816. 

* By the Legislature, October 29, 1812. He held the oltlce one year. 
i> By President Madison, February 27, 1813, under an act of Congress of February 
24, 1813, providing for the appointment ot six Major Generals. 



COL. AAKON OGDEX. ^ 

Governor Ogden has been for many years^ President by 
annual election of the New Jersey State Society of Cincin- 
nati, in which honorable rank General Elias Dayton and 
Governor Bloomfield were his Predecessors, and has been 
twice elected & is now President General of the General Soci- 
ety of Cincinnati, in which high rank his predecessors were 
General Washington, General Hamilton, General Charles 
Cotesworth Pinckney and Thomas Pinckney.^ 

In the Winter of 1775-1776, an expedition was formed 
under Colonel- Lord Sterling,^ commanding the first New 
Jersey Regiment, to take a large Ship at Sea plying off 
Sandy Hook, while the Asia, Man of War, a British Ship 
of the line with large tender, were lying in the Bay and 
Harbor of New York. 

This expedition was composed of a detachment from 
Lord Sterling's regiment lying at Perth Amboy, and a 
corps of Volunteers from Elizabeth Town, of whom Mr. 
Ogden was one. This expedition embarked in small craft, 
put to sea at night from Sandy Hook, under a strong 
North West wind, and soon after sun-rising descried the 
Ship they were in quest of, bore down upon her, laid them- 
selves alongside, boarded & carried her ; of these board- 
ers Mr. Ogden was one. This Ship proved to be The Blue 
Mountain Valley of 300 Tons under the command of Cap- 
tain Dempster, loaded with Coal, Porter and live stock for 
the British troops at Boston. In the afternoon the wind 
came in from the Southward, and the prize was safely 
brought in, and secured at Elizabeth Town Point.* 

1 From 1S24 until Ills deatU lo 1839. Ellas Dayton wa3 President, 1783-1808 ; and 
Jo<epli Bloomflekl. 1808-24. 

2 lie was Vice-President General. 1825-9 ; and President General, I8i9-.S9. General 
Waslilngton was President General, 1783-99; Alexander ilamllton, 1800-1804; Charles 
Coie.sworth Plnckni-y. 1605-25 ; Tliomas Pinckney, 1825-29. 

» William Alexander, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, wbo claimed the title ol Earl 
111 Stirling. He was suliseiiuenlly a Major General in the American Army. 

* A detailed account of this brilliant adventure, written liy Robert Ogden, chair- 
man of the Town Committee of Elizaoethiowii, dated Feliiuary lO, 1776. was sent to 
Congress, and is published in American Archives, Fourth Series, Vol. IV. 987-9* 
Aaron Ogden is named as one of the men on the expedition. The document is re- 
printed in Hatfleld'B Elizabeth, 421-4. 



b OOI,. AARON OGDEX. 

On the 29th January, 1776, Congress passed the follow- 
ing resolve, to wit — that the alertness, activity and good 
conduct of Lord Sterling, and the forwardness and spirit of 
the gentlemen and others from Elizabeth Town who volun- 
tarily assisted in taking the Blue Mountain \'alley were 
laudable and exemplary. 

On the iith of September, 1777, the American Army 
consisting of about 18,000 men was posted near Chadsford ^ 
on the Brandywine with that river and a strong Abbatis in 
its front, and the enemy with as large a number was ad- 
vancing from the head of Elk, apparently with an intent to 
cross the Brandywine at this ford and attack General 
Washington in his then position, but foreseeing that Sir 
William Howe, the Commander of the British Army, might 
turn to the right of the American Army, and cross a 
bridge'- on the Brandywine higher up, near Birmingham 
meeting-house, General Washington had determined in 
this event, t - pass his army over the Brandywine at Chads- 
worth,^ attack the troops, the heavy artillery and baggage 
of the enemy which might be left behind, and take post in 
the neighboring high hills of Maryland. 

The first New Jersey regiment to which Mr. Ogden be- 
longed was posted in advance with directions to cross the 
river, and commence the attack on receiving such order 
from the Commander-in-Chief to be given in case the ene- 
mv should make the expected movement. Col. Matthias 
Ogden, the brother of the subject of this memoir, com- 
manded this regiment and impatient for this order, dis- 
patched him to the Commander-in-Chief, to inform him 

1 Cliad'a Ford. Tliere Is now a bridge nuar tbe site of the old ford. Maps lllua- 
tratlng the Battle of Brandywine may be found in Loaiilng's Fleld-Book of the Revo- 
1 III Ion, II., 37"; 2 Penn. Archives, X., 316; Sparks'e Washington, V., 58; Battles of the 
.\nierlcan Revolution, by Henry B. Carrlnglon, 381 ; Stedman's American War, Dub- 
lin, 1791. 

2 A ford Is meant. There was no bridge across the Brandywine within several 
miles of Chad's Ford. Brlnton'a Ford was one mile above ; Jones's two miles ; WIs- 
ter's (Shunk's), three mnes.—Carringtnn, 367; Lnsxing. 377. and see the maps. 

> Chad's Ford. 



COL. AARON OGDEN. 7 

that everything was ready, and waiting for tlie order to 
advance across the river. 

General Washington was attended by his aides, and in- 
formed the bearer of this message that he was distracted 
by contrary intelligence, and he did not send the ex- 
pected order. 

It seems that Colonel Hamilton, who was one of General 
Washington's aids, had reconnoitred the enemy, & had 
informed the General that they were in full march up the 
river, on the other side of it toward his right, at the same 
time an express arrived from Major General Sullivan, who 
had been placed on the right for the express purpose of 
observing the movement of the enemy, that there were 
none on the road. 

Col. Lewis Morris \ one of the aids of General Sullivan, 
within a few years past, informed Mr. Ogden that the vid- 
ets sent out by General Sullivan had spent their time in 
drinking at a tavern, and on their return reported that the 
enemy were not on that route. Upon which he wrote on 
a drum head, his dispatch to General Washington contain- 
ing this contradictory intelligence. 

By this skilful manoeuvre Sir William Howe turned the 
right of the American Army, and compelled General 
Washington to change his front, & a defeat was the neces- 
sary consequence. Thus this battle, in all probability was 
lost and won by this contrary intelligence. 

At the battle of Monmouth on the 27th June, 1778, 
Major Ogden was Brigade Major to the Jersey Brigade 
which composed a part of the advance of the Army under 
the command of Major General Lee. This advanced corps 
marched in two columns with the proper interval for form- 
ing a line of battle, but on approaching the enemy each 

• Son of Lewis Morris, of New York, one of tbe Signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence ; grest-great-grandson of Lewia Morris. Governor of New Jersey. 1738-4". lie 
graduated from Princeton College In 1774. 



6 COI.. AARON OGDEX. 

column halted and retired simultaneously without having 
made any disposition for making or receiving an attack. 

These two columns retired however in perfect order, and 
when met by the Commander-in-Chief, were directed by 
him to fall into the rear of the main body of his army. 

At this time Major General Lord Sterling, to whom 
Major Ogden was well known, took him as an assistant aid- 
de-camp. He as such continued with his Lordship during 
the residue of the day, and the night succeeding in the line 
of the main body, during which time he was near the per- 
sons both of Lord Sterling and of the Commander-in-Chief, 
General Washington, and was the bearer of important ord- 
ers from each of them. 

The enemy advanced to a ravine, lying in Iront of the 
line of the American Army, when there ensued a heavy 
and destructive cannonade from each side for a long time ; 
the enemy at length advanced over the ravine to the 
attack of our batteries in the line. On perceiving this the 
Commander-in-Chief enquired of Major Ogden whether 
his horse still held out, for the day was intensely hot, and 
on being answered in the affirmative, ordered him to recon- 
noiter a wood which lay at some distance to the left, with 
as much speed as possible, this was done accordingly, and 
upon his reporting to the Commander in-Chief that the 
enemy had lately been in occupation of this wood, but had 
retired leaving many dead and many dying with heat, 
the Commander-in-Chief immediately said in a loud tone 
" We will advance in our turn," and gave his orders ac- 
cordingly, and the consequence was that the British Sold- 
iers were driven back by the points of American bayonets, 
which turned the fate of the day. The firing from each 
side soon after ceased, and both armies lay near each other 
on the ground they had respectively occupied. In the 
morning soon after daylight. Major Ogden was ordered by 
Lord Sterling to reconnoitre the position of the enemy in 



cor.. AAUON ocnv.s. 9 

front. On his way he was met and informed by two aid- 
de-camps of the Commander-in-Chief who had been befor:;- 
hand that the whole body of the British Army had re- 
treated during the preceding night. Of the action, the fol- 
lowing notice was taken by Congress: 

" Resolved unanimously that the thanks of Congress be 
given to General Washington for the activity with which he 
marched from the Camp at Valley Forge in pursuit of the 
enemy, for his distinguished exertions in forming the line - 
of battle, and for his great good conduct in leading on the 
attack and gaining the important victory of Monmouth over 
the British Grand Army under the command of General Sir 
Henry Clinton in their march from Philadelphia to New 
York." 

" Resolved that General Washington be directed to sig- 
nify the thanks of Congress to the gallant Officers and men, 
under his command, who distinguished themselves by their 
conduct and valour at the battle of Monmouth." 

In the Winter of 1 778-1 779, the Jersey Brigade of which 
Major Ogden was the Brigade Major were posted on the 
lines and cantons of Elizabeth Town in the immediate vicin- 
ity of the British Army, when an attempt to surprise this 
Brigade was made by an expedition from Long Island, 
and General Grey, called " No flint Grey," on account 
of his having on a former occasion, surprised and put 
to the bayonet a part of General Wayne's Brigade at 
[Paoli], near Philadelphia. Major Ogden was sleeping 
in the same room with General Maxwell who commanded 
the Brigade, when the field Officers of the day rode up 
to the General's quarters, and informed him that one of the 
pickets had heard the rowing of many boats round Bergen 
Point, up Newark Bay. Major Ogden knowing there was 
no picket on the road leading from th- salt meadows, lying 
on this Bay, volunteered his services to reconnoitre that 
road. On approaching the house next to the meadows, he 



to COL. AARON' OGDEN. 

observed in. it a light, & slackened the pace of his horse. 
The nigRt was remarkably dark and he found himself with- 
out perceiving it among British soldiers, and within- the 
reach of a British Sentinel who ordered him to dismount. 
Major Ogden, determined at all hazards to attempt to alarm 
the garrison, immediately wheeled and put spurs to his horse 
expecting a shot, but in this he was disappointed, and in- 
stead of a shot he received from another sentinel, a thrust 
with a bayonet into his Chest, below the short ribs. He 
had strength nevertheless to reach the garrison, about two 
miles distant, and give to it the alarm. On his return 
General Ma.xweli observed " that the pitcher that often goes 
down the well, will come up broken at last." However by 
frequent copious bleedings inflammation was prevented, and 
Major Ogden recovered from his wound, which had well 
nigh proved fatal to him.^ 

In the Campaign of 1779, Major Ogden served as aid • 
de-camp to General Maxwell in the successful expedition 
of Major General Sullivan, against the hostile Indians,'^ in 
regard to which Congress took the following notice : 

October 14, 1779. "Resolved that the thanks of Con- 
gress be given to his Excellency General Washington for 
directing, and to Major General Sullivan and the brave 
officers and soldiers under his command for effectually 
executing, an important expedition against such of the 
Indian nations as encouraged by the Councils, and con- 
ducted by the officers of his Britannic Majesty had 
perfidiously waged an unprovoked and cruel war against 

1 "Willie conOiieilto his room [with tblswouiiJ, wlilcU was very UinigerousJ he was 
freiiuently vislteil by Uic ladles of the town, acciualiiteil with hlin from the days of 
Ills boylioDd. One of the on aits of the place was, that upon the occasion of oue o' 
these visits, he received a wound from one of Cupid's shafts, deeper and more 
lasting than that Inflicted by the enemy. This wound was healed [eight] years after- 
wards by a happy marriage with the author of it."—h'lrnei-'s ItemUiiscences. uii. 

2 Some notices of C'apt. Cgden's services on this expedition will be found In a paper 
read before the New Jersey Illstoiical Society, January 17, 1884, by Gen. William S. 
Strykcr, on "General Maxwell's Brigade of the New Jersey Continental Line In the 
Expedition Against the Indians, In the Year 1779." 



COI,. AAliOX OGDKN'. It 

these United States, laid waste many of their defenceless 
towns, and with savage barbarity, slaughtered the inhab- 
itants thereof." 

After the resignation of General Maxwell,^ Captain 
Ogden commanding a company in the Light Infantry 
under Major General the Marquis La Fayette received an 
order from the Commander-in-Chief to attend at Head- 
quarters the next cnorning'^ at 8 o'clock precisely, when he 
was met by General Washington alone, at his tent door, 
who put into his hands a packet addressed to his Excel- 
lency Sir Henry Clinton Commandqr &c., of the British 
forces at New York, and at the same time directed him to 
curry it with a flag of truce, under an escort ot twenty-five 
dragoons, to the next post of the enemy and deliver it 
into the hands of the commanding officer there, that he 
should get for himself the best horse he could obtain and 
call on the Marquis La Fayette for special instructions. 

Major Andre of the British Army, who was known 
to be the particular friend and favorite of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, had been taken up, tried, and condemned to death by 
a General Court Martial of American officers, and was 
then under sentence to be hanged as a spy. 

General La Fayette's instructions to Captain Ogden were, 
that he should if possible, get within the British Post at 
Paulushook, and continue there during the night, and that he 
should privately assure the Commanding officer there, with- 
out takinghim aside for the purpose, that he, Captain Ogden, 
was instructed to say, that if Sir Henry Clinton would in 
any way whatever suffer General Washington to get with- 
in his power General Arnold, then Major Andre should be 
immediately released. 

1 Resigned July 25. 1780. 

■■i This nui3t have been atTappan. about September 30. IT80. Arnold's treason wm 
discovered Semptember 2.5; on September 28 Waahlngton ordered a board of general 
olUcers to liiquire luto the case of .Major Andre, who was tried and condemned [lie 
next day ; the Bndlng and sentence were approved by Washington on the 30th, and the 
unfortunate young man was hanged on October 2, 1780. 



13 COL. AARON OGDKN'. 

Captain Ogden so managed as to gf--t into the post where 
he was pohtely offered accommodation for the night ; no 
opportunity presented itself until! supper, when he was 
seated next to the Commanding officer there, who on 
receiving the communication, immediately arose from the 
table, and returned in about two hours from the City 
of New York, being the headquarters of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, with a laconic answer from him "that a deserter was 
never given up" and that my horse would be ready for my 
departure early the next morning.' Thus this benevolent 
experiment of General Washington in favor of the unfor- 
tunate Andre failed and this accomplished scholar and 
gentleman suffered an ignominious death, while the 
infamous Arnold was receiving the reward of his treachery 
to his General and his treason to his country. 

Early in the year 1780" an expedition from New York 
consisting of 8,000 British and Hessian troops under the 
Hessian General Kniphausen made an irruption into New 
Jersey apparently with the design to attack General 
Washington while yet in his winter quarters at Morris 
Town with an army, consisting then of not more than si.K 
thousand effective men.'^ 

At this time the Jersey Brigade consisting of about 
1000 men under the command of General Maxwell to 
whom the subject of this memoir was aid-de-camp, was 
stationed on the line, two regiments of this Brigade, with 
General Ma.xwell lying a short distance west of Newark, 

1 Captain Ogilen was aocompanletl by a sergeant, who was missing In.tlie nioniing, 
having deserted to the enemy. AH anlcuowu tu Ogflen, this had beeii arranged by 
Washington, who had Ijeen given Information that Gen. St. Clair w.ia unworthy. The 
sergeant ascertained that the suspicions were unfounded, and returned in safety to 
the American array. 

2 June 6. 1T8O. 

s In his report to Lord Germain. Gov. Robertson, of New York, placed the number 
of the Invading troops under Knypbausen at 6,001). He said the object was to sur- 
prise Maxwell's Brigade of Jersey Troops, and to get possession of the strong post a 
Short Hills, await there the arrival of relnforcementa, and if circumstances proved 
f.ivorable. to march directly with the whole against Washington, at Morrlstown.— 
,V. r. Col. Vocs., VJII., 791. 



COL. AAIiON OCDEX. \ T, 

and the other two regiments of this Brigade at Elizabeth 
Town under the Command of General Ellas Dayton with a 
distance between them of about five miles. 

The enemy landed about mid-night' at Elizabeth Town 
Point about Eighteen miles from Morris Town, and advanc- 
ed unobserved, till it fell in with a picket guard, by whose 
fire, the thigh of General Sterling of the British Army who 
led the advance, was broken, which delayed the further 
advance of this expedition for a very considerable time.'~ 

Major Ogden lying on the ground on his blanket, in his 
tent, heard this firing and immediately volunteered his 
services to General Maxwell to ascertain the cause of it ; 
and rode as fast as his horse could carry him, to the other 
two regiments of the brigade whom he found paraded on 
the hill in the rear of Elizabeth Town river, and there re- 
ceived information from General Dayton^ that the enemy 
were out in force, that Morris Town was the place of their 
destination, that he was momently expecting their advance. 

General Dayton and Major Ogden concluded that it 
would be advisable for the whole brigade to form a junc- 
tion at Connecticut farms, being about an equal distance 
from each of the separate parts of the brigade. This was 
done accordingly, and the whole brigade before the advance 
of the enemy so far, was posted behind a ravine near Wade 
Tan yard. 

At sunrise the enemy was seen in full march on the road 
to Morris Town and their further advance was then checked 

1 June 6. 

- "As Ihe enemy cuiiie uiarchlug forwaril. at the break of thty. Brig. Geii. Stirling 
ut the bead of lus division, the guards, at the forka of the road [at the eastern termin- 
us of the present Elizabeth avenue, in the City of Elizabeth], allowed them toapproacli 
within musket shot, when they flred,and fled to town. One of the balls unhorsed Stir- 
ling, and fractured his thigh. The whole colamn was thus brought to a halt, until 
the wo.inded General ooukl be cared toT.''—lTatjteld's Elizabeth, 487-8. General Stir- 
ling died of his wound a year later. 

3 Col. Ellas TJayton, of Elizabethtown. who commanded the Jersey Brigade alter 
the resignation of Gen. Maxwell ; commissioned Brigadier General Continental Army, 
January 7. 1783. 



14 COL. AARON OGDEN. 

by the Jersey brigade in a sharp action of more than an 
hour, and untill its left was turned by. the enemy on another 
road when the brigade was obHged to retire to Springfield 
a distance of about three miles, whicii it did in perfect 
order, and without the least precipitation. 

The brigade then was posted behind the river near 
Springfield, having left standing the Bridge over which it 
had passed. The enemy advanced as far as the river and 
Bridge, but no further on that day.^ 

By this time the inhabitants had received the alarm, the 
militia in small bodies, were beginning to join the Brigade, 
and the special direction of them was committed to Major 
Ogden, who by his conduct during the day had acquired 
the confidence of his General by having twice saved his 
Brigade from ruin and defeat. - 

The subject of this memoir was a Captain of a company 
of the Light Infantry of General tlie Marquis de Lafayette 
in his memorable campaign in Virginia in 1781, which 
after the arrival of General Washington from the north- 
ward, terminated in the capture of York town, of Lord 
Cornwallis, and his whole army, after which there was no 
more actual fighting between the hostile parties. 

Early in this Campaign General De Lafayette formed a 
legionary corps of horse & foot commanded by Major 
McPherson, the foot was composed of one Company select- 
ed from each of his three regiments of Light Infantry. '* 

1 Being thus checked, the enemy gave them.selvea up to pliindcr anil rapine ; the 
Preihyterlaa Church at Connecticut Farms was burned down, and several of the 
dwelling houses. It was at this time, too, that the wife of the Rev. James Caldwell, 
of Elizahethtown, was shot dead liy a British soldier, as she sat near an upper wln- 
ilow in the par-sonage, with her b.ahe at her breast. Mr. Caldwell had rented the par' 
sonage temporarily as a safer residence than his own in the town. 

-' At ten o'clock that night, in the midst of a drenching rain, the British Army 
silently stole back to the Sonnd. and the next day most o( them crossed to Stateu 
Island. Two weeks later, on June 23. the British renewed their attempt to reach 
Morrlstown, but were badly beaten at Sprlngdeld, and again compelled to retreat, with 
heavy loss. 

3 Captain Ogden commanded these three companies. See his own note at the end 
of this autobiography. 



COI.. AAUON OGDEN'. 1 5 

These were all picked men, and always lay between the two 
armies, and so particularly exposed to a surprise, which 
although frequently attempted was never effected, and to 
guard against which required the greatest vigil.ince. 

During this Campaign and before the arrival of General 
Washington Lord Cornwallis made an attempt to " catch 
the boy" as he used to call the Marquis de Lafayette by 
inducing him to believe that he was crossing his whole 
army from the north to the south side of James river, and 
made a demonstration accordingly. General La Fayette 
discovered this feint but just in time to save himself, after 
marching to attack the rear of the enemy as he supposed. 

He however ordered an attack on the left of the front of 
the enemy, and Captain Ogden was ordered with the infan- 
try of this legionary corps and a body of militia, to march 
to the left and cover the retreat of the main body, which 
retreat at the same time was ordered by the General. 

After marching some distance as directed Captain Ogden 
discovered the right wing of the Ikitish Army advancing 
rapidly to turn the left of our army, when in order to con- 
ceal the comparative weakness of his force, he threw his 
men into a neighboring wood and posted them behind a 
surrounding fence. 

This caused the enemy to halt & reconnoitre, and form 
their line of attack, which marched up to charge into the 
woods, in this however they were checked by a galling fire 
from our men behind the fence, by which the right wing of 
the enemy was retarded untill the firing on the left had en- 
tirely ceased, when Captain Ogden drew off his men, and 
fell into the rear of our main body and so covered its re- 
treat. ^ 



' Captain Ogden modeslly omits to relate bis eallaulry in one of the most brilliant 
events of the siege of Vorktown. On the night of October 14. 1781. an attack was or- 
dered on two redoubts of the British, and to excite a spirit of emulation, the reduc. 
tlon of one was enirusted to the Americans, under Lafayette, and of the other to the 
French, under the LJarou De VIomlnll. The advanced corps of the Americana was 



i6 cor.. A.viiON! ()(;ni;N'. 

Note. — General La Fayette in liis visit to the United 
States in a letter to the then Secretary at War, makes 
honorable mention of Captain Ogden, and of his valuable 
military services in the war of the revolution & particu- 
larly when serving under him, in his campaign in Virginia, 
of which Mr. has a copy, if 

Colonel Ogden recollects right. 

Note. — In the year iSoo^ he was appointed by the Leg- 
islature of New Jersey to be one of the electors of the 
President and Vice President of the United States, & 
afterwards one of the Commissioners on the part of New 
Jersey for definitely settling the disputed boundary between 
her & the State of New York.'-' 

Note. — In the year 1801 he was appointed one of the 
Senators of the State of New Jersey in the Congress of the 
United States, and served as such in the years 1801-1802 
& 1803.-'^ 

Note. — These three companies of infantry were com- 
manded by Captain O^den, being the eldest Captain.* 

under Col. Ale.xander Hamilton. Ac a kIvcd signal tlie latter corps dashed forward, 
the van being led by Captain Ogden, tlie men leaping over all obstructions and Into 
tbe enemy's redoubt witU sucli Irresistible elan as to completely overwhelm all opposi- 
tion, and capture the redoubt and Its astonished garrison. Ogden received a contu- 
sion from a cannon ball In the fight. 

1 An error; he was appointed In November. I79(i. 

2 By an act passed November 21, 1806, the Legislature appointed as such commis- 
sioners. Aaron Ogden, William S. Pennington, James Parker. LewlsOondlct and .4lex- 
anderC. Maowhorter. Col. Ogden was not one ot the commlsslonei's appointed umler 
the act of 1824 or in 1833. 

3 He was appointed February 28, 1801, to All the unexpired term (two years) of 
James Sclui reman, resigned. 

■• Referring to the legionary corps of Infantry mentioned on page 14. 



cor,. AAKON OGDEV. I'J 



ADDENDA. 

In 1802 the Legislature of New Jersey was equally divided between the 
Republican and Federalist parties. On the first ballot for Governor, Joseph 
Bloomfield received the twenty-six Republican votes, and the twenty-six Fed- 
eralist votes were cast for Richard Stockton. On the second ballot the vote 
was thb same. On the third ballet the Federalist votes were given to Aaron 
Ogden. There was no choice, and the State went without a Governor for a 
whole year. 

Col Ogden built a steamboat, the "Sea Horse," in 1811, to ply between 
Elizabethtown and New York. Before it was completed, the New York Leg- 
islature passed an act, April 9, 1811, amhorizing John R. and Robert J. 
Livingston to seize any steamboat infringing on the monopoly given in 1803 
and 1808 by the New York Legislature to Chancellor Livingston and Robert 
Fulton. In 1813 the New Jersey Legislature gave to Aaron Ogden and Dan- 
iel Dod, and their successors, the exclusive right to run steamboats in the 
waters of this State. The Livingstons appealed to the next Legislature for 
the repeal of this act. There was a great contest, ajid a brilliant debate be- 
tween counsel, but the act was repealed in 1815. The doughty Colonel then 
tried to get the New York Legislature to repeal their monopoly, and in an 
argument before them made the first attempt to prove that the statute grant- 
ing to Robert Fulton a monopoly of steamboat navigation on all the waters 
of thpt State wiis contrary to the constitution of the United States. His re- 
pealer passed the .Assembly, but was lost in the Senate by one vote. He was 
thus obliged to make terms with the Livingstons, of whom he bought for ten 
years the exclusive right to ruu steamboats between Eliz ibethtown and New 
York. Thomas Gibbons, a wealthy planter of Savannah, Ga., who spent the 
summew in a handsome country seat at Elizabethtown, and who had been a 
])artner with Ogden in a ferry lease, set up a rival steamboat route to New 
York. Ogden got an icjunction agaiust him from the Chancellor of New 
York, lbl7. The case was contested with great stubbornuess through the 
Courts, until at the February Term, 1824, the Supreme Court of the United 
States decided that no State could grant a monopoly of navigation. The 
long fight ruined Ogden. 

In October, 1 787, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Chetwood, of 
his native town. She died September 27, 1826, having borne him: 

1. Mary Chetwood, b. 178!) ; m. George Clinton Barber ; d. March 23, 
1863, aged 74 years. 

2. I'hcebe Ann, b. 1790 ; d. November 30, 186.5, aged 74 years. 



iS COL. AARON OGDEX. 

3. Matthias, b. 17'.)2 ; m Lucille Eoberts ; il. July 17, ISnO, aged 68 
years. 

4. John Ilobirt. h. 1794 ; d. Jiuniiiry 22, 184-), aged 51 yeili-s. 
.5. E. B. Day'>'u. b. 1797 ; d. August 8, 1799, aged two years. 

6. Elias Boudinot Dayton, b. May 22, 1800 ; m. 1st Snsan, dau. of the 
Bev. Frederick Beasley ; ni. 2d Louisa, dan. of Judge Ford ; m. 3d Alice, 
dau. of (;apt. W. Chetwood Do Hart, U. S. A. ; Justice of the Supreme 
Court of New Jersey, 1848-65 ; d. Febrmiry 24, 1865 Mrs Alice Ogdeu d. 
Oct. 27, 1S91. 

7. Aaron, b. ]8li3 ; d. October 5, l«0:i, aged six mouths. 

In 1785 the Legislature appo./ited him Clerk of the couuty of Essex, which 
office he held for many yeais. On December 1, 1801, the Legislature passed an 
act providiug that if any person holding an office under the State had been 
elected to the U. S. Senate or House of Kepreseutatives, the commission 
under the State should be considered vacant, unless he should resign his seat 
in Congress within twenty days after the passage of the act Col. Ogden de- 
■ clined to resign, and the Legislature elected Jacob Parkhurst County Clerk, 
■who took possession of the office. A legal contest ensued, which ended in 
favor of Parkhurst. — Elmer's Re7iiiniacences, ISO. 

In 1811 Col. Ogden was appointed Assistant Collector at Jei'sey City, which 
in 1829 became a port of entry, whereupon he took up his residence there. 
During the ensuing winter he was arrested for debt in the city of New York, 
and imprisoned for two or three mouths, declining the offers of friends to 
settle the claims against him. This proceeding led the New York Legisla- 
ture to enact a law prohibiting the imprisonment of a Revolutionary soldier, 
which effected Col. Ogden 's immediate discharge. Col. Aaron Burr is said to 
have been actively instrumental in securing the passage of this act. 

He died at Jersey City, April 19, 1839, in his eighty-third year, and was 
buried on April 22, with great civic honors, in the First Presbyterian church- 
yard at Elizabeth. 

Judge Elmer, who knew Gov. Ogileu well, says of him : " lie had a good 
practice as a lawyer ; and whatever maj' have been his own reflections on the 
stibject, I think, in view of what afterwards befell him, it is to be regretted 
that he did not adhere to that profession during his life. He was an accom- 
plished lawyer, and took a high position at the bar. He was much employed 
in the most important cases argued before the Supreme Conrt. * * His 
manner was graceful and impressive ; his voice, though not musical, vpas 
strong and varied ; his countenance had g"-eat power and diversity of expres- 
sion ; but more than all this, he understood well the springs of human action. 
He was an enthusiastic admirer, and might almost be called a pupil of Shake- 
speare, whose works he was never weary of perusing. He was an ardent ad- 
mirer of the ancient classical authors ; and his convereation with literary 
friends was frequently embellished l>y ready and felicitous quotations from 
their works. He was one of the mauy proofs of the great advantage a stud- 



COI,. AAHOX OGDEV. Ig 

ent derives from hecomiug au iustrnctor of othei's. His critic, il kuowleHge 
and accurate recollectiou of the cUissics he always attributed priucipally to 
that canse. The taste never foi-sook him, and often led him back, diiriuf^ 
the busiest part of his life, to the foimtaiu at which he had drimk with so 
much pleasure in his earl.y years. I well recollect, that the first time I saw 
him at a* Fourth of July diuaer of the Ciuciuuati, in 1812, he questioned the 
elegance of the Society's motto, l iusistiuf; that although perhaps good Latm 
as it stood, it should have been omnia reliquit nd scrtandiim rempublicam. " 
In a "Honoriad," by John Stuart, of the Class of 1819, Princeton, is the 
following passage : 

"Hoffman, Rutgers, Van Aksualen and Ogden." 

"Hoffman with Jerseymeu I name 

' ' Because his s-pirit is tue name 

" Kutgers in his great toe was lamed 

' ' Van Arsdalen alwa\ s looked ashamed 

"And Ogden 's recitative tone 

" Mix'd raven's croak with bag pipes' drone." 



Some Unpubli.shed Autograph Letters.' 



Elizabeth Town July L'lth 1785 
Honored Sir 

I take the opportunity by Cousin Matt. Ogden'* of informing you 
that Mama is exceeding well and in good spirits, she says, that she expects to 
go to Sussex with Robert when he shall have returned from Long Island 
where he has gone with his family. This will probably be towards the end 
of thg pressut vaek. and some time next week may bring them to Sparta. 

Col. Ogden* has had a turn of the Astma which now confines him, but he 
is getting better and his son Franks had the misfortune a few days ago to 

1 Omnia reliquit nervnre rempnblicam-so printed In the reooras ol the Xew Jer- 
sey Society ; the General Society Minutes now print the second word rellmMt. Gov. 
Oprden's amendment has been approved by scholars. 

2 The flrit of these letters is from the collection of Edmund D. Halsey ; the others 
are from the collection of William Nelson. 

3 Matthias Ogden, b. 1742; d. 1818; son of Samuel Ogden and second cousin of 
Col. Aaron Ogdeu. 

4 Mattliias Cgden. brother of Col Aavon Ogden. 

■•■ Francis Barber Ogden. aft'Twards U. S. Consul at Liverpool. 



20 COT.. AARON' OOnEN". 

break bis cullai- boae, of wbicb he is aha )st recovered. Our frieuds aud 
c )unectious are otherwise well — With respect to uews I kuow of uone worthy 
of your Attention. Doctor Chaudleri arrived little better than a -week ago 
frjin England — he is well excepting the humour in his uose which is almost 
c.msumed —Doctor B.irnet, David Lyou aud some others, who were peaceable 
aud abhorred bloodshed during the war, now that the danger is o-v'er, come 
forward aud talk of killing, but rely upou it they are not encouraged by any 
brave or good men and I do not think that there will be any disturbance on 
this occasion. My best love to Hannah and Elias- time will not permit me to 
write to either of them. 

I am Sir 

Your Affectionate Son 

Aaron Ogden. 
[Addressed :] 

Kobert Ogden Esq 

Sparta 

ir. 

Eliz. Town Nov. 4th 179.5 
My Dear Sir. 

I have just returned home after au absence of a fortnight at Sussex 
& Hunterdon's Circuit Courts— when I found your favor of the iCth Ultimo 
— It had been impracticable on account of the Epedemic^ in New York, for 
me to procure the bill in your favor — all my correspondents were in the 
Country — I have written to a friend to procure one, & as yet have no 
answer, but expect a favorable one hourly — as soon as it comes to hand, it 
shall be forwarded by the post — 

I am sorrv that the ballauce has not yet come to hand the Sheriff who had 
the execution against Camp, is now in our Legislature, & has not as yet set- 
tled this execution, altho he had expected to do it. 

Your bill therefore will only be for seven hundred Dollars, which is w 
near as I cau estimate the amount in my hands— My uncertainty of tlie pre- 
cise Bum arises from my having bought some articles at Cox vendue which 
amount I have not, but have receipted for the sum to Camp. 

I lament much the great trouble & disappointment you receive on this 
business— However believe me to be yours most sincerely & faithfully 

Aauon Ogden. 

P. S. When my next is received, you will find when the cause in the at- 
tachment is like to be decided. I do not think that you need be at the trou- 

1 Tne Kev. Thomas BradijuryCliancUer, Uuotorof St. John's Ctiurch. Ellzabethtown, 
from 1717 until 1775. He took sides with the British, and was compelled to leave 
t'le country. On his reiuni after the war harsh measures were proposed, hul were 
n >i carried out. The " humour m his uose " w.ia a cancer, which «nded his Ufe. l7'.)o. 

■ Si iter and brother o( Aaron. 
I'.iL- yellow fever. 



roi.. AAnov o<;i>i':s'. 2! 

lile of a jouruey on the business— ife wUeu we meet, I shiiU bu more able to 
explain the busiuess. 
[Addressed :] 

Mr. Thomas Goadslej', 

Boston. 



III. 

New York Deer. 12 1798. 
Dear Daytou. 

At the moment of the receipt of yours of the 8th instaut. I set out 
for this place in a sleigh, with an inteut to have returned on the same day. 
Circumstances have detained me here untill now — in the meautime I have 
been revolving in my mind the subject which you proposed for my consider- 
ation — 

However flattering, it might be, to be at the head, of a corps so respectable 
as that of the Artillery, yet, upon the whole nothing has occurred to me, 
(and I presume also, nothing has occurred to you, or you would have men- 
tioned it) which seem sufficient to overcome the objections which presented 
themselves, when we conversed upon this subject in consequence of a hint 
thrown out, by Capt. Fordl of the Artillery — 

My views do not, at present, extend, beyond the terminatiim of those com- 
motions, which may arise from the injudicious and malignant policy, which 
has been adopted by France and her partisans, towards this Country, they 
do not extend to any permanent military appointment — 

Mr. Stockton^ and yourself are so perfectly acquainted with me, and the 
only motives, which I have in regard to this whole business ; that I com- 
mit myself, entirely to youi' disposals, and shall find myself happy in render- 
ing any service to my country, in such capacity as you may judge it proper, 
for me to accept. — 

I am with great affection —yours as ever 

Aabon Oodsn. 
[.Addressed :] 

Tne honorable 

Jonathan Dayton Esquire • 

Speaker <fec. 

Philadelphia 

1 Doubtless Capt. Mahlon Ford, who married Sophia Spencer, daughter of Col. Oli- 
ver Spencer and Anna Ogden, his wife, slater of Gov. Aaron Ogden. He was a son of 
John Ford, who was a son of Col. .lacob Ford, senior, (f .VIorristown. 

2 Richard Stockton (second). U. S. Senator from New Jersey. IS November. 1796. ti, 
3 March, 1799. Mr. Dayton was Speaker of the House of Representatives at this tiiiic. 



\.\nOS OODKX. 



IV. 

Eliz. Town Aug. 20 1800. 
Geutlemen. 

Mr. Elias Hains,! of your city, has delivered us the account of the 
Corporation of New-York against us, for wharfage, for five boats, for three 
years, at five dollars per annum, for e.ich boat, amounting to seventy five 
dollars. 

It is not understood by us upon wb;it principle this demand is made, in 
case of them, rather, than in that of ot/wr friegbt boats, to which no particu- 
lar or exclusive priviledge has been given — In facilitating intercourse and, 
consequently, business with j'our city from New-Jersey and in transporting 
daily great quantities of produce and merchandize, they have become useful 
to the citizens, and would make themselves welcome at any wharf, and ought 
not therefore as it should seem be compelled to pay any tax or contributions, 
unless some particular exclusive right, or extraordinary priviledge should be 
granted to them. For such a grant or priviledge we are willing to stipulate 
and pay, and with this view we piay the attention of the Corporation to a 
proposal, lately made to them by Col. Crane, who has a lease upon the boats, 
at the present, or to such other as may be made by Mr. Hains or Mr. Jon. 
H. Lawrence in our behalf, who are authorized to treat for us in this respect. 
We entertain a hope, that by way of mutual benefit and accommodation 
as also for the convenience of such as make use of this means of intercoui'se 
wi.h your city, a permission may be granted at our expense, to make a wharf 
or pier from the Eastermost point of the battery, under such regulations as 
may be prescribed, and that in consideration thereof, we may have a lease 
for the same, for a term of years, with a power of renewal at a stiputoted 
rent — This, it can be shown, may be done, not only without injury, l)ut with 
advantage to the slip, in particular, & to the navigation round the battery, in 
general 

We are gentlemen. 

With great respect 

Your most ob. servts. 

Jona. Dayton & Aaron Ogden.- 
To the honorable the Mayor 

& Corporation of the City of New York. 

1 Klias Hains or Haines was a, native ot Ell^^abetUtuwn ; he was a merchant in New 
York. Uia monument (In the First Prealiyterian church yai-ii, Eilzabeth) says "Be- 
nevolence, enerey. and enterprlze. characterized his ilfe." ile died 11 October, 1824. 
in the BSth year of his age. He was the father of Daniel Haines, Governor ot New Jer- 
sey. 1843-4. 18(8-51. .lusUce of the Supreme Court. 18,',2-66. 

- The whole iluouiiieiit la la the Uandwrititij^ of Oyderi ; so arc botli the signatures. 



COI.. AARON OGDEN. ^3 



V. 

Elizabeth Towu Dec. 6th 1800. 
Dear Dayton. 

I have received your favor of the 28th Ultimo, with the enclosure— 
what effect Mr. Hamilton 'si pamphlet may have upon the Electors in the 
South, may be problematical, but it can have no possible influence, in this 
quarter, the one way or the other. 

Col. Ehea2 will have been with you with the unanimous votes of our Elect- 
ors for Adams & Pinckney, & will have informed you of all the news, relative 
to our State politics. The electioneering campaigns has just opened, and 
will doubtless be prosecuted with vigor by both parties — As yet, there are 
no symptoms of any violent opposition to the federal Ticke*. in our town — Benju 
Wynans-l is zealous ou our side, but I have some reason to be dubious in regard 
to Aaron Wynans, from the obliquity of his temper, if a line from you on the 
subject would reach him before the election, which commences on the 23d 
instant, it would be very useful, either to encrease his zeal if he shall have 
taken his side, with us, or moderate him, if it should happen, to be otherwise. 

I was in New York on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last, relative to your 
answer and in order to effect a compromise with Marston, as the agent of your 
father & brother, — Col. Burr proposes to draw anew your answer, and is fully 
possessed of our ideas of the subject, and says, they furnish, in his mind, an 
impregnable ground of defence — Mr. Marston unfortunately, was confined in 
the Country by a fall — but Col. Burr promises to endeavour to effect nn ar- 
rangement, upon the basis of our offer, to give security, upon 4 or 5 years 
time, being given — to this the only impediment, as appears from Mr. Smith 
the altorney of Mr. Marston, is that, the security will be required from the 
city, if you can devise son^e plan to obviate this, there can be no doubt, of 
effecting the wishes of Mr. Lawrence & yourself in this business. 

Every aid in my. power, to assist in bringing to an end, this business, will 
always be ready. I wish most heartily to see it closed. 

1 " Letter from Alexander namtlton, Conoerniugthe Public Conduct ami Character 
of John Adams, Esq. Preaident of the Dnlted States. New York: Printed for John 
Lang, by George F. Hopkins. 1800. Copy right Secured." An 8vo. pamphlet of 54 
pages, written by Hamilton with the hope of securing for Charles Cotesworth Pinck- 
ney a majority over John Adams, in the pending Presidential contest. It was believed 
that If South Carolina would give her votes to Adams and Pinckney the Federalist 
ticket would be successful. The letter was a most unwise attack, though under bitter 
provocation, by the ablest Federalist la the country upon the Federalist President, 
who was a candidate for re-election. 

-' Clerk of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. I793-1S07; for many years one of the 
most Influential politicians la tlje State. He was Lieutenant in theNew Jersey troopa 
during the Revolution. 

3 For the election of members of the Legislature. 

* .\n Elder In Parson Caldwell's church at Elizabcthtown, and Captain In the Revo- 
lutionary army. 



34 COI,. AAROX OGDEN. 

I enclose the within, to remind you of an application made by us, in favor 
of Lieutenant FiatH — the terms of it prove, the manner in which our recom- 
mendation was received— the war-office being burnt Mr. Piatt wishes his re- 
commendation renewed, will you, therefore hive the goodness, of being at 
the trouble of shewing or delivering Mr. Stoddard's letter to the present Sec- 
retary of War, and of recommending Mr. Piatt for an appointment, either in 
the Artillery or Infantry — he will in my opinion be a great acquisition to the 
service, and both on his own and his father's account, deserves great consid- 
eration. 

Your brother has arrived and is very well, as is your family who are at 
home, Mrs. Dayton is iu New York. 

I am with the mnst sincere affection 
Yours, Ac. 

.\.\liON OODBN 

[.Addressed :] 

The honorable 

Jonathan Dayton 

Senate Chamber 

City of Washington. 



Washington Jany 31. 1802 
My dearest Betsey. 

This day, being Sunday, is here the most pleasant and charming 
last of .lanuary, that I have ever experienced — if it be not so with you, the 
olimite here, is to be preferred to ours at Elizabeth-Town. Phebe's^ letter 
received yesterday, was the first, I have had since [ left home, and let me 
repeat that I-shonll be exceedingly glad, if it could be so arranged, that some 
one of the family should each day write me, iu respect to the health and wel- 
fare of the family, and as to anything else, as it may please the one who 
writes— the Children may exercise their ingenuity in communicating this in- 
formation, always, in a different manner, by which, they will learn how many 
different ways there are of communicating the same thing — they must write 
me, in as good a hand, as they can, aud the whole letter free from blots, and 
for very correct letters, I shall be satisfied if they write only a few lines ; in 
this way they will improve themselves, and by degrees, learn to write longer 
letters— I hope you will get into your habits which you begun to have when 

1 ProbaMy a son of Daniel Piatt, who W;i3 a (Japtalu In the same regiment with 
Aaron OgUen. 
a Ills daughter. 



COI.. AAHON OGDEM. 25 

I returned home, that of writing to me, some, every evening, and when it 
shall become large euougli for a letter that you send it off. 
I am most affectionately your's 

Aaeon Cgden. 
[Addressed :] 

Mrs. Aaron Ogden 

Elizabeth Town 

New-Jersey 



VII. 

Eliz. Town Nov 2.'). ISOl. 
Dear Dayton. 

Yours of the 22J has been just received, I have not time to say more 
than a word or two, being this moment about to set out for Sussex Court — 
The Governor, 1 (as was predicted) appointed not one of his nominations 
to us— he consulted Mr. Kitchell'^ before be signed the Commission, however 
he took but one of Mr. K. nominations to him which was backed also 
{inter rws) by the whole representation of Essex, Sussex & Morris — to this one 
(Mr. Holstiu) of Morris, he added after much conference Genl. Cummings^ & 
Col Manning — The Inspectors veiwed the roiid-l & signed the certificate 
with much cheerfulness, whereupon the Governor signed the License — The 
Gates will be fixed for the present, near Bottle hill ;5 in Chatham on 
this side the bridge by the tavern ; and at Major Clarks— the two latter have 
been in operation about 3 days and jjresent appearances are favorable — As to 
rate of toll there appears at present some variety in opinion — pray write me 
your opinion— it strikes me that the Gate near the Short hills sJuould 
pay more than the upper or lower gates, as that part of the road cost us near 
double the sum, that the other parts of the road did — besides the benetit 
is almost twice as great to the traveller as he will not have it in his power to 
shun it, without very great difficulty & iucouvenience — We have made 
a temporary arrangement as follows — At the upper it lower gates, for a 
carriage by 1 horse 5 Cents — 2. horses 7—4 horses 14. at the middle 
gate 1 horse 6 Gents — 2 horses 10. 4 horses 20 Cents, the toll for the single 
horse appears to me too high — 4 Cents perhaps would be better for 1 horse — 
it perhaps 6 Cents for two horses— we are new mailing a beginning — besides 

1 Joseph BloomflelU. Govenor 1803-12. 

i Probably Aaron Kltcliell. ot Morils cuuuty. member of Congress, 1791-3, 1794-7. 

3 Jolia N. CuramlDg, of Newark, a Colonel In tUe Revolution. 

* Tbe -Morris Turnpike, built uQder an act of the Legislature passed 9 Jlarcli, 1801, 
entitled " aq Act for the facilitating the cominuQication from Elizabeth-Town, in the 
County of Essex, turoiigli Morris Town, in the County of Morris, and from thence Into 
Sussex." amended by an act passed 10 November, 180J. 

5 Now Madiaou. Morris county. 



26 COT,. AARON OGDEN. 

we cannot exactly say, what effect the winter will have on the road, altho at 
present it is very flue. — 

I have written to Coll Burr on Saturday & yesterday — I rode to Hacking- 
sack the moment I returned from Trenton, to get certain information — 
I am sorry to lind that nothing can he made out in regard to the precept, but 
the paunel which perhaps is more material appears to be vicious, having l)ut 
23 instead of 24 names, and not being signed by the Sheriff, i 

A letter such as you mention would have a very good effect, presuming tluit 
the power is in tlie Godornor, altho it does not rest there, but with the 
Atty. Genl.2 — he althj a man of most excellent disjjosition, would not enter a 
noli pros : without leave of the Court— if however sentiment can be excited 
favorable to such a measure among members of the Legislatare, it will very 
much smoth the way for the application whenever it can be made— When I 
return I will write yon again 

Yours as ever 

Aaron Ogden. 
[Addressed :] 

The honorable 

Jonathan Dayton 
Senate Chamber 

Washington-City. 

1 This and the next paragraph refer to the indtctment fouiul in Bergen county, 
New Jersey, against Colonel Aai-on Burr for killing Alexander Hamilton in the duel at 
Weehawken, 11 July. 1804. On returning to Washington from a long trip South, 
whither he bad gone to evade the storm of execration which assailed him after 
the duel, Burr wrote to his daughter Theodosia. 5 November. 1S04: ' I arrived last 
evening. You will have received my two letters of the 3iJtli ult. ami 1st Instant, com- 
municating, among other tilings, some information which I received on the road 
respecting the feelings in Bergen county, New Jersey. Since that a grand jury 
has lieen erapannelled. who have found an indictment of murder. The witness. Par- 
son Mason. The presiding judge, Boadlnot. one of the most vehement of vehement 
federalists '• '• Parson Mai^on'* was the Uev. John M. Mason, of New York, who 
attended Uamilton in his dying hours. The .Judge was lillsha Boadlnot. of Newark, 
one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Under date of 15 December. 
18114 Burr writes again ; "Biddle and Dallas have written a Joint letter to Governor 
Bloomfleld. of New Jersey, urging a nol pros. In the case of the Vice President. Dal- 
las has, ihroughou' this business, behaved with an Independence, and open, active 
zeal which I could not h.ave expected, and to which 1 had no personal claim. 
The leading Republican members of the United Mates Senate have addressed a 
similar joint letter to the Governor. Many individuals of the same sect co-operate in 
the measure, and have expressed their opinions by letter and In conversation." 
Davix's ilamolrsof Aaron Burr,\l.,H9,Z^3. The Indictment was never pressed. 

2 Aaron D. Woodruff. Attorney General 1792-1811. 



cor.. AARON OGDEX. 27 

VIII. 

Eliz'tb T.)wa, Octo 30th 1807. 
My dear Sir 

I have to beg ten thousand |>ardous, for having omitted uutill now, 
an answer to your very flattering letter of the 14th instant — I gave it to my 
sou for kis perusal, who did not return it, whereby it did not get on the file 
<if unanswered lettei-s, and so amidst a thousand avocations, it escaped 
attention — You who know me, &. my entire respect for you, will rot, I trust, 
hesitate to excuse me, in this particular, for this seeming inattention. 

On account of the youth of my sou.l I had concluded not to send him 
to Princeton uutill the next autumn, antl then to enter the junior 
Glass, otherwise I should, with very great pleasure indeed, have availed my- 
self, of your very oblidgiug and polite offer— Such intimacies and friendships 
as are formed, at Colledge, are certainly, known, most generally, to 
exist and last throughout life— and in this consideration, I exceedingly 
lament, that this opportunity may be lost to my son, of making thus early, 
an intimacy & friendship so close, ivs that of room-mate, with one, 2 for whom, 
& whose father I have such high respect, and from which there is such good 
promise of mutual benefit. 

Accept Dhar Sir my most sincere thanks for this mark of attention A' 
friendship for myself & son and Believe me always to be with the greatest 
truth, 

Yours most sincerely &, respectfully 

Aakon Ogden. 
[.Addressed :] 

William Coxe Esquire 
Burlington 

New-Jersey. 

1 Matthias Ogilen, b. 1792; d. 1" July. 1860. He gradnated from Princeton in 1810; 
entered tlie CliOBophlc Society In 1808; In 1818 m. Lucille Roberts, of Jamaica, W. I. ; 
they had five children, all daughters. 

2 William Coxe, of Burlington, a grandson of Col. Daniel Coxe, of Barllngton and 
afterwards of Trenton ;'li. 3 May, 1762 ; m. April, 1789, Hachel, dan. of Richard Smith 
and Ilaunati (Peak) Smith ; d. 'a Feliruary, 1831. (Richai'd Smith was first cousin to 
Richard Smith, of Green Ilill. and was a son of Dr. Richard Smith, of Brarnham.) The 
seuonil son of William and Rachel (Smitli) Coxe was Richard Smith Coxe; b. .30 
•lannary, 1793 ; d. 38 April. 1865. He entered Princeton In ISO.'i (joining the Cliosophlc 
.•Society), and graduated In 18ii8; studied law with William Griiflth. of Bnrling- 
toa. for tliree years ; being too young to be admitted to the bar he removed to Phila- 
delphia and continued his studies under Horace Binney, ami In 1812, some weeks be- 
lore he was 31. was licensed as an attorney of Pennsylvania. He m. 23 January, 1816, 
Susan Bradford, daii. of William and Abigail GrIIlith. and then returned to 
New Jersey, where he was licensed as an attorney and counsellor at the May Term. 
1317. In 1822 he removed to Washington, which was thenceforth his home. He was 
admitted the the C. S. Supreme Court, in tliat year, and for forty years was constantly 
engaged in cases of great Importance. He was the compiler of C'oxe's Reports, the 
first lolume of the New Jersey Law Reports, having obtained the material, it 
was understood, from notes of cases preserved by Judge Griaitii. iJe m. 'id Mrs. 
Susan R. Wheeler. 

4 



28 COI.. AARON OGDEX. 



.IX. 

Elizabeth Town July 22 180S. 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of the 15th of the present month Las been dulj' 
received, and I embrace the first moment of sufficient leisure to give it an 
answer. 

The subject of your letter has been indeed a matter of considerable atten- 
lion with me, and I have formed a strong opinion, that two sets of Stages, 
might be established between Philadelphia and Xew-York, by the way of 
Barlingtoa and Elizabeth-Town Point, more convenient, at a less expenee, 
and geiieraily, with more expedition, according to the nature of the busi- 
ness of each set of Stages, respectively, than any now in use, the Mail line of 
Stages, excepted. 

I say two Sets, or Hues of Stages, that is, one line, for such articles 
of Merchandize, as are usually transported across land, between the two great 
cities, and for such passengers, as might prefer thiit line on account of the 
smallness of the expences — and the other for passengei's and their usual bag- 
gage, exclusively. 

My hopes of success in such an undertaking are founded on the follow- 
ing considerations 

1. The rout now proposed, has considerable advantage, in point of 
distance over either of those now followed by Sonth-.^mboy or Lamington on 
the Delawar, and would be upon an equal footing in that respect, with the 
rout from Philadelphia thro Trenton by the way of Paulus hook. 

2. Beween 32 & 33 Miles of the proposed rout will be by water, to wit, 
from New- York to Elizabeth Town Point, Vii miles and from Philada to Burl- 
ington 20 miles — this rout will, therefore, be as much more convenient and 
less expensive, as Stage-Boats properly constructed and arranged, have 
been found on experience, to have the advantage in these respects, over 
Stage Waggons. 

3. Stage-Boats, properly constructed, exclusively, for passengers and 
articles of merchandize, such as are usually transported across laud, between 
the two cities, if they should always take the advanlitge of the currents, 
would always, when there is wind go with more expedition thau Stage 
Waggons, and as there is generally wind, it follows, that as generally 
the Stage Boats, would exceed the Stage Waggons, in point of expedition — 
When there is no wind, such stage-boats, by the use of oars, may go with the 
tide, nearly, if not quite as fast, as stage waggons, and even without more 
oars thau may always be had without additional expeace. Stage Boats might 
always go in one tide between Philadelphia & Burlington, & in much less 
time thau a tide between New-York & Elizabeth-Town Point. 

4. As the tides will not accomodate themselves to passengers, piissengers 
may accomodate themselves to tides, and it so happens, that if a Stage Boat 



COI.. AAUOX OGDEN. 2<) 

shall leave either city, at Low Water, on any day, which is equally the best 
time of tide to start from ea<^h plaee, she will arrive at Elizabeth-Town 
Point and Burlington, respectively, so as to enable the Ibtage w.tggons to pass 
from either of those places to the other, and allow the passengers to sleep at 
a Stage house, and arrive by the time of high water on the day following— 
This time is the most suitable time of tide for the Staga Boats from Burling- 
ton to Philadelphia, and a very good time of tide for a Stage Boat from 
Elizabeth-Town Point to New-York. 

In respect to the set of Stages for Merchandize Ac if they drive all night, 
which may be readily done with Lamps, they will also arrive about the same 
time, and in season for the Stage boats on the day following. 

The time of leaving each of the cities, therefore, every day, subject how- 
ever to the exception mentioned in the Post-script, may be precisely at low 
water, which time is, so notorious and remarkable, that upon being so 
advertised, it will always be found with as great ease by the passengers, as if 
the particular hour of the day was mentioned. 

There must at least be four Stage houses on the way, at one of which the 
pa.ssengers may sleep, according to the time of their leaving Philadelphia .t 
New-York, that is to say, one at Elizabeth-Town, one at New-Brunswick, one 
somewhere near Doctor Clarks on the turnpike road from Brunswick to 
Burlington and one at Burlington. The distance of these stages one from 
the '^ther will be nearly alike. 

There must be, six four horse teams and two waggons, for each of the two 
lines of daily Stages, I mean the one which travels all night with merchan- 
dize &c and the other which stops & allows the passengers to sleep on the 
road — In each line of Stages, one team of horses must be stationed at Eliza- 
beth-Town, two teams at New-Brunswick— two teams near Clarks, and one 
team at Burlington. 

Each waggon should shift horses at Brunswick, and near Clarks but should 
pass the whole distance between Burlington & Elizabeth- Town Point, without 
shifting passengers or Baggage, or Merchandize. 

It must be presumed that these lines must meet encouragement from the. 
public, when it sha'l be known that articles of merchandize delivered on one 
day at Low water on board the Stage boat at either city will arrive at the other 
city, in the course of the following day, and that passengers & their usual 
baggage may be transported with equal expedition it greater convenience at 
about two thirds of the present rate of fare on the other other rout. 

There should be, for the sake of simplicity, in the business, but two known 
or immediatel!/ responsible partners— the one at Elizabeth Town (s!iy 
myself), and another at Burlington— who may respectively associate to them- 
selves as many pei-sons as they may choose — each of the i;esponsible partners, 
should by himself, or otherwise, establish & regulate, respectively, suitable 
Stage Boats, between Philadelphia & Burlington, and between New-York 
tt Elizabeth-Town Point, and three teams of horses, each, for each of 
the two lines— that is, to say, two teams of horses each, respectively, to run 



30 COI.. AAROX OGDEN. 

bjtweeu Barlingtou & Cliirks, aud betweeu Elizabetb-Tuwu Poiut ami New 
Brunswick, and one team each to supply the road between Clarks & New- 
Brunswick. 

Each of the responsible partners should be at the expence of repairiug his 
own waggon, and fee.ling & keeping up his own horses, and be answerable 
that they perform their duty agreably to the times to be mentioned in stipu- 
lations previously to be entered into. 

The usual rate of fare, or a limited one should be established for the Stage 
Boats, respectively, aud taken by their owners respectively in the first place, 
out of the whole amount of fare for the whole distance — the residue of ihc 
fare should be divided between the two partners or wha t perhaps might be 
easier, each partner might receive /iis half from each passenger as he goes 
on, which might save the partners the necessity of any accounts as between 
themselves. 

It will be necessary that the road between Doctor Clarks & Burlington b^ 
the way of the White horse should be somehow amended & kept in better 
repair — I am told that this [is] about to be done. 

These my dear Sir, are rough materials, which by a closer attention 
& some experience, might be made to fit in and suit together, so as 
to answer the end intended— if Mr. Smith or any other suitable person iu 
Burlington should think the matter worth further consideration, and will 
have the goodness to call & see me at my house, I will show him my stage 
boats and other accomodations for the ferry from hence to New-York. Com- 
municate freely on the subject, aud enter into arrangements predicated ou 
the foregoing Ideas, altered and amended as may appear more proper, aud if 
thought advisable, proceed at onc« to preparations, and set the whole 
machinery in motion as soon as it can be got ready. 

From the representations you make in respect to Mr. Smith, it would 
seem, that he is altogether suitable for the partner at Burlington ; 
but before you shew this to him, I must request, if it be not inconsistent, 
that you would lend it to Mr. Mcllvaiue for his perusal, as I have had some 
conversation with him ou the subject — for if he has any idea himself 
of entering into such a connection, I feel myself bound from what has passed 
between us, not to do anything iu the business, without his concurrence. 

As to anything further, I am entirely wiUiug to submit to your discretion 
the communications you may make, believing however that no good cf u 
result from communicating further, than may serve to promote & further the 
end in view. 

After apologizing for this long, but, hastily, written letter, permit me to 
assure you, that I am with the truest res]iect 

Yours most faithfully 

.\aron Ogdes. 

Post-Script. I ought to have mentioned, that iu the two wor>t possible 
cases that can happen, it appears to me that the undertaking can be accom- 



COL. AARON OGDEN. 3 1 

plished without wiud. The tirst is, when the low water happeus so late in 
the day that the passeugers from Philadelphia must stay that night at Bur- 
liugtou, at such times, the circumstances of the tides at Elizabeth-Towu 
Point will admit of their being sent in to New York, on the next day, pro- 
virled they arrive from Burlington at Elizabeth-Towu Point by 3^ or 4 o'clock 
iu the afternoon, which in my opinion may be easily done in like manner, 
«if low water be so late in the day at New-York, that passengers cannot arrive 
at Burlington by high water the day following — at such times, the tides from 
New-York will admit the Stage boat to start so early in the day that the pas- 
sengers may be sent to Burlington in season for the high water on the day 
following. 
[Addressed :] 

William Cox Esquire 

Burlington. 
Post-paid. 1 

1 The postage on this letter from Ellzabetli to BurliDgton, as marked Willi peu and 
ink in the upper right hand corner, was twenty cents. 



New Jersey Sup: Court 
William Coxe Esqr. [ 

„. T) , ^; , . 1 Sur Ejectment, for Stipsoul Island Jfcc. 
the Pembeiton family I 

Kecd. from above Deft, by the hand of General Joseph Bloom- 
fieM tifly dollars for a retaining feu in the above suit. — 

Aaron Ogden 

Counsel at Law 

Eliz-Towu 



1 Stipson (or Stuypsen) Island is la the western part of Dennis township. Cape May 
county, bordering on Delaware Imy. hetw een East and West creeks, which nearly or 
i|uite separate it from the mainland. Owing to the subsidence of the New Jersey 
coast, Stipson's sland loses a rod of shore front every year or two. 



32 COI.. AAHON OGDEX. 



SI. 

Elizabeth Town Ootoliev 23 18-2T. 
The Reverend 

Doctor Johu C. IJiulil.l 
Reverend i Dear Sir. 

This letter will lie delivered by Miss Mary O. 
Hains, a daughter of Mr. Elias Hains, deceased, formerly of this place, with 
whom I believe you must have been intimately acquainted. 

Miss Haius is a daughter of one of my neices,2 now a widow, and I feel 
much interest in her welfare — She is of a most amiable disposition— well 
educated— with a characteristic perseverance in whatever she may undertake. 
I understand that she proposes to take on herself the charge of a female 
academy at Auburn, in regard to the duties of which you have an entire 
knowledge— Now sir, should this bo the case, you will confer on me a great 
favor, by such attentions and services to her, in this new situation, !ia may 
conveniently be within your power. 

I am, dear & reverend Sir 

your very sincere friend 
& very respectfully 

your most ob. servt. 

Aakon Ooden. 
[Addressed :] 

The Reverend 

Doctor John C. Riidd. 

Auburn 
N. Y. 
Miss Mary O. Hains. 

1 The Rev, John Ohiiichlll Ruilil. D. D . Rector of St Jehu's church, Elizabeth- 
town. 1806-20; rellring on account of IIL health, he removed In July, 1S26. to Anliurn. 
N. y., where he taught a classical school, as he hart done for years at Ellzabetbtown ; 
he died 16 November. 184S, at Utica, N. Y., and was burled In St. John's church-yard, 
at Elizabeth. 

2 Robert Ogden, brother of Col. Aaron Ogden. married Sarah, daughter of Dr. Zo- 
phar I'latt. of Huntington, L. I. ; their daughter Mary, niece of Col. Ogden. married 
Ellas Haines, mentioned above, and had this daughter, Mary Ogden Haines. While at 
AUDurn, Miss Haines married Henry Thompson Darragh ; their only daughter. Eliza- 
beth, married Ma.t. Gen. Lewis B. Parsons, of St. Louis, and died without Lssue. Mrs. 
Darragli was a very lovely woman. In person and In character. 



cor.. AARON OGDEN. 



33 



xn. 

Jersey City, 10 May 1830. 
My dear Sir 

This letter will be cleliverecl by iny particular friend A. Ogdeu 
Daytonl Esquire of the city of New-York who you will tind very intelligent 
auil frank — but he is not of the same political party with youraeif 

As Mr Dayton is paying a visit to the city of Washington for a few days, I 
avail myself of the opportunity of thus introducing him to you, and have to 
beg, that you will have the goodness to communicate to him, the situation of 
the bill in regard to the exemption of the officers and soldiers who are 
entitled to the benefit of the late act for the relief of certain surviving 
officers and soldiers of the late revolutionary army — he is fully acquainted 
with the whole subject aud will communicate any information, which you 
will have the goodness to give hi m. 

I have the honor to be 

with the highest respect 
your oblidged friend A 
servant 

Aaron Ogden. 
The honorable 

Tristam Burgess. 2 

1 Aaron Ogden DaytoQ was the sou of Elias Bayley Dayton (son of Gen. Ellas Daj- 
lon) and Elizabeth Catharine Chandler (b. 23 J uly. 1764, dau. of the Kev. Dr. Thomas 
Bradbury Cliaadler ; m. 19 January, 17S6 ; d. 6 November, 1806). Ue was born at 
Eliz,ibethtown, 4 0etol)er, 1796; entered tUe Junior Class In Princeton College In 1811. 
aud graduated In 1813 ; studied law with Gov. Aaron Ogden, after whom he had been 
named, and was licensed as an Attorney 13 November. 1817. In 1818 he journeyed 
to Ohio on horseback, and was licensed as an Attorney and Counsellor In that State. 
Keturnlng to New Jersey, he began the pracilce o' his profession at Salem. In 182.3 
lie was elected to the Legislature. In 1824 he took a very active part In 
the canvass for the election of Andrew Jackson to the Presidency. In 1825 
lie removed to Jersey City, and in 1826 to New York city, being admitted 
as a Counsellor In that State, and In 1858 was elected to the New York 
Legislature. In 18J3 he was appointed to an office in the Department of State, at 
Washington, and in 1836 became Chief Clerk of the Department; in 18.38 he was 
appolnteil Fonrth Auditor of the Treasury Department, where It was his duty to 
receive and adjust all accounts for the service of the Navy Department. He died sud- 
denly, 30 September, 1858. He had married la August, 1S37, Mary B. Tuft, of Salem. 

2 Tristam Surges was a memVjer of Congress from Rhode Island. 1825-33 ; a promi- 
nent Federalist and afterwards a Whig. 



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